Oswego County News Now: National foundation gives Sandy Creek library $5,000

SANDY CREEK, New York — A national foundation that gives grants to rural libraries recently awarded the Ainsworth Memorial Library in Sandy Creek $5,000 for supporting children’s literacy programs.

The John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation of Toledo, Ohio, recently announced its 2024 recipients of its annual library grants, which support rural libraries in communities with limited resources.

Sandy Creek met the criteria set out by the Eldred Foundation of a community that is rural and at least 10 miles from an urban cluster, serves a population of fewer than 25,000 people and serves communities where at least 18% of the population live in poverty.

Ainsworth Memorial was one of 35 libraries in New York and the only one in Oswego County to receive a grant from the foundation this year.

Jessica Hover, a spokesperson for the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation, said the libraries can use the grant money to grow and enhance access to children’s and young adult collections or fund programming support and/or purchase equipment or supplies.

The foundation follows the yearly geographic focus set by the Association of Rural and Small Libraries’ annual conference. This approach ensures that the selected area reflects the current challenges and priorities faced by libraries in those communities.

By rotating the geographic focus each year, the foundation aims to make a targeted and effective contribution, addressing the unique needs of rural libraries across the U.S.

“We are humbled to play a small part in supporting the essential work of rural libraries,” said Mike Deetsch, executive director of the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation, in a news release. “These libraries serve as beacons of hope and opportunity, often in areas with limited resources. By working with them, we aim to help children and families discover the joy of reading and the doors it can open.” 

The Ainsworth Memorial Library offers services beyond simple book loans, including downloading e-books and e-audiobooks, a musical instrument lending library, several book clubs, technology classes for seniors and access to genealogy resources.

The Ainsworth Memorial Library is named after former Sandy Creek resident Annie Porter Ainsworth by her husband, Danforth E. Ainsworth, who grew up in Sandy Creek. Danforth Ainsworth served New York as a Republican in the State Assembly from 1886-1889 and from 1893-1895.

The Ainsworths lived in Albany where Danforth also served as the state deputy superintendent of public instruction and as deputy attorney general of New York.

Annie Porter Ainsworth died in April 1927, after which time Danforth detailed his plans for the library to town leaders. By July 1927, a special election was held, and the proposition for the library passed easily.

Construction was completed and the library opened exactly a year after Danforth Ainsworth’s death on Oct. 25, 1928.

Founded by John Henry Eldred Jr., a lifelong advocate for books and reading, the foundation was created to honor his late mother, Dorothy Louise Kyler, and their shared belief in the transformative power of literacy. Since 2012, the foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants to rural libraries, helping grow and enhance access to children’s and young adult collections.

In 2023, the foundation expanded how the libraries could spend the money to include programming support, equipment and supplies, in addition to children’s and young adult collections.

Ainsworth Memorial Library is located at 6064 S. Main St. in Sandy Creek.